In This Issue:

  It's Time to Report Your Volunteer Hours!

2011 Contest

for Volunteer Hours

(winners will be announced in January 2012!) 

1st Prize:

2 Tickets to Garde performance

2nd Prize:

2 Tickets to

New London Main Street fundraiser

3rd Prize:

2 Tickets to 2012 Spring Food Stroll

4th Prize:

New London Main Street Poster 

Did you know?

Kamp Dog's signature dish is a hot dog, topped with homemade Dynamite Sauce, cheese, and onions, tucked inside a butter-grilled New England roll?

Hand eaters beware! This dish absolutely requires a knife and fork. Each Kamp Dog costs $3.50, and it's unlikely that you will have any room left for another.

Kamp Dog

15 Broad Street

New London, CT
860-443-3000

http://kampdog.com/

Hours:

Mon-Fri: 6am to 3pm

Sat: 6am to 2pm

Closed Sunday

Faces of New London

from

Previews on Parade 

District Business Profile - Waterhouse Salon   

by Todd Buckholt, New London Main Street Intern 

On July 2, 1982, Ric Waterhouse found his way to New London. He was a broke 19-year-old from Portland, Maine and was drawn to the city with no car and only $76 in his pocket. Not knowing much about the area, all he did know was that he had a former roommate from the area and he had some relatives living in Pawcatuck.

Each day, Ric would walk from his Jefferson Avenue apartment all the way to Electric Boat and Pfizer in search of work. After countless days of fruitless results, Ric enrolled in a City program that provided food and rent vouchers in exchange for work. Hoping to receive a job sweeping the corridors of City Hall or raking leaves in the parks, Ric was hired to clean out the recycling pits at the City's Waste Transfer Station.

He eventually took a job washing dishes at Friendly's on Broad Street, but he knew he couldn't live like that forever. Rick says, "I went up to what is now Bank of America on State Street and was able to get a student loan. After charges and fees, I walked out of there with $2,300. I went to the New London School of Business, but it was $2,700 to enroll.
I went next door to the New London Academy of Hair Dressing, and it was only $2,100. So I enrolled and received my hair dressing license."

Nancy's Salon hired Rick, and he is quick to point out that he owes so much to owner Nancy Hennegan. "I had no idea what I was doing when I started, and she was willing to take a chance on me." After several years of working for Nancy, he moved on to work at a salon in Hartford where he claims "it is difficult to get noticed." He eventually made his way back to New London, where he was able to open up Waterhouse Salon at 136 Bank Street, the same space he has occupied for the last 21 years. "I couldn't have made it in any other city in Connecticut. New London was an untapped market."

Waterhouse Salon is a full-service, AVEDA-concept salon. Ric believes in the mission of AVEDA, an environmentally-conscious company that produces plant-based products without petro-chemicals and uses 100 percent wind power in their factories. Open Tuesday through Saturday with varying hours, Waterhouse Salon can satisfy many needs from hair dressing and waxing to nails and skin care treatment. They also have a large variety of AVEDA cosmetic and beauty supplies in stock and available for purchase. The staff at Waterhouse Salon has over 17 years of experience and knowledge working with these products.

Ric has worked hard to develop and maintain an experienced staff. "I have eight employees - the longest has been here since day one and the newest has been here for five years." They work long hours, and Ric says they seem to be constantly busy. "It was either sink or swim and I had to survive. The only way to do that was to make sacrifices and work all the time. Failing was not an option."

Ric says he owes a lot to the community, and that he always felt New London wanted him to succeed. He also has high hopes for the future of New London. "I have seen a lot of changes in downtown New London, and it will only get better." Ric claims the future begins with young people who are willing to take a risk. "I encourage young people to come take a chance on New London."

Ric Waterhouse is a true success story. With a little help, or luck as he would claim, and a "never give up attitude," Ric has been able to remain in business for the past 21 years. He has owned his building for the past four years, and his business brings in about $750,000 a year, all because he had hope. "I believed I could make an impact on downtown and now I attract about 75 people here each day."

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 860-442-9543 or visit www.waterhousesalon.com.

Volunteer Profile - Pranitha Sada 

Interns Add Value - Ryan Phillips    

Ryan Phillips graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in AgBusiness. His work experience is a bit different from most Main Street interns - throughout high school and college, he worked at a cattle ranch, where he learned a lot of valuable skills like teamwork. When he came to New London to spend the summer, he knew that he wanted to try something completely new. He has lived in Arizona for his entire life, and he wanted to see more of the world, have new experiences, and get a fresh start. Another reason was to help his brother, Chuck Phillips, construct a shop for his furniture making business (http://furnituretoorder.com).

Ryan enjoyed most of his classes in college, except for calculus. Who inspired him? He says, "Of all the people in my life, my Mother is the one who had the most influence on me. She always pushed me to work harder and never accepted anything but my best."

Ryan loves to explore the area - visiting historical sites, checking out local restaurants, enjoying local beaches, and trying to experience everything that New London has to offer. He also really enjoys his newest pastime, sailing, which he has been learning since he arrived in New London earlier this summer.

Once Ryan knew he was going to be spending the summer in New London, he decided to get some work experience while also getting involved in the community. New London Main Street seemed like the best option for achieving these goals.

Ryan says, "My favorite part of the internship has been the ability to get involved with the community. Through working with Main Street, I have made many connections and learned so much about the area. I could have felt like an outsider, but through New London Main Street, I really feel that I am part of something."

Favorite assignments included helping with Main Street events like the Annual Meeting, the Board Orientation, Previews on Parade and Fish tales, Tugs & Sails. He says, "These events were not only rewarding to help organize and promote, but they were fun to attend as well!" Ryan also really enjoyed participating on the Ice Skating Rink Committee. He attended just about every meeting during his internship, and it was where he feels he had the greatest variety of assignments and was able to make the greatest impact.

Ryan shares, "I have learned many skills since I started my internship - office management, event planning, and project management are just a few." He has explored The District from the restaurants, galleries and shops to The Garde. He says, "So far, I have enjoyed it all."

Ryan says, "New London Main Street is truly making progress in The District. Urban development is a slow process, and it may take some time before New London returns to what it was in its heyday...but I know that the people at New London Main Street will keep on working their hardest to make it happen."

Ryan is going to continue to help his brother finish his shop and wasn't sure whether he will stay in New London after that.  As he completed his internship, he told us "I'm leaving my options open!" We wish Ryan the best of luck no matter where he decides to go, or what he decides to do, next.

Interns Add Value - Todd Buckholt     

Todd Buckholt, a rising senior at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), is majoring in Communications with a concentration in Advertising, and is minoring in Spanish. He works as a Student Office Assistant for the President of the University. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school for a Masters in Advertising. Right now, he is looking at Boston University, Syracuse University and the University of Illinois. He hopes to one day work in an advertising agency.

Todd has enjoyed his experience at ECSU - his favorite classes have included Nonprofit Communication, Publication Design, and European Media, which coincided with his recent trip to Europe. One of his favorite professors has been Matthew Sheridan, who not only is knowledgeable and personable, but he also knows how to keep students interested by using various teaching methods.

In his spare time, Todd enjoys playing sports and staying active. He participates in organized Intramural Athletics at ECSU, and he has recently taken up racquetball with his friends. He also likes to bowl and has been bowling in leagues since he was 7 years old.

Todd is also the President of ECSU's Chapter of the American Advertising Agency (AAF), a club for students interested in advertising. He says that the experience is valuable, because they attend an advertising career conference in New York City each fall, and they tour an advertising agency during the spring semester.

Todd actually learned of the internship opportunity at New London Main Street through Facebook. A family friend, Donna Bailey, had posted to Main Street's facebook page that she knew of a native New Londoner looking for a college internship in the area of Communications/Advertising. Main Street jumped at the opportunity to talk with Todd and found him to be a perfect fit for the organization.

When asked what he enjoyed most about his stint at Main Street, Todd says, "The best part about the internship is the freedom and responsibility I am given. Many organizations would never let an intern near anything that is being published to the public. I like that Main Street trusts me to work on very important projects such as the summer newsletter, postings on the website, and press releases. The newsletter was probably my favorite assignment because I had to make sure everything was perfect and was actually "in charge" while Joanne was on vacation."

Todd also appreciated the opportunity to strengthen his ability to multi-task. He was always working on more than one project at a time, so learning how to manage multiple projects was critical to his success. About Main Street, Todd says that he could never have imagined that one organization could accomplish so much.

Even though Todd grew up in New London, and thought he pretty much knew everything there was to know about the City, he has found several new places. He says, "My new favorite is probably Muddy Waters. The décor of the café is neat, and the service is great. They have a lot of healthy menu options and also some great sweets. There is something for all appetites at Muddy Waters."

Todd's writing, interpersonal and organization skills were invaluable to New London Main Street! We wish him a successful senior year and have no doubt he will ultimately find success in his career.

New London Youth Affairs

Summer Employment Program 

Meet Bernadette Young!

by David Cruz, New London Main Street Intern       

Bernadette Young was born and raised in New London, Connecticut. She graduated from New London High School in 2009, and thanks to New London Youth Affairs Summer Employment Program, Bernadette is working at New London Main Street through September. She is also taking online courses at Grand Canyon University, pursuing a degree in Christian Studies. Her plan is to one day own and run a Christian counseling business where she can guide those in need towards the right path.

She was made aware of New London Main Street by participating in a community service project this spring. When she learned what Main Street was all about, she began to volunteer her time to help out in the office. After applying to New London Youth Affairs for their summer employment program, Bernadette was accepted and placed at New London Main Street, where she was already familiar with the organization and the needs of the office.

After her time at Main Street, Bernadette says she will take with her many new skills she has attained, such as maintaining a website, doing receptionist work, and developing computer skills. What she has enjoyed most about her experience at New London Main Street are the wide variety of opportunities offered to learn new things and discover more about herself and her city.